Appearance:

Breeding male easily recognized by all black head, prominent white moustache stripe and white collar. Rufous greater coverts in young birds. Females and juveniles otherwise plain and rather characterless, and are easily confused with other rare buntings. Reed bunting however, lacks the pale eye-ring and plain cheeks of Little Bunting, and the rufous rump of Rustic Bunting.

Sound:

Song variable between individuals and breeding status: A short sequence of 3-5 brittle and buzzing sounds, repeated consistently with marked pauses. Last sound in phrase often has a conclusive feel, but not always. Paired males sing slower than unpaired. Unpaired male song also more contracted, making the pauses between each phrase stand out. Contact call a sharp, descending and drawn "tseeeoo". A bit similar to Yellow Wagtail, but not as sharp and explosive. In migration a thick, and unmusical "chong" is often heard.

Song:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Appearance:

Dark (or brownish) legs and dark bill (in summer). Diffuse, but heavy streaking below, gives underparts a smoky appearance. The whole bird appears darker than other pipits. Outer tail feathers greyish white. Underside of wings dark. Bill noticeably longer and heavier than in Meadow Pipit. Breeding plumage has less streaked underparts, lighter grey upperparts and pink tinge to chest. Very similar to Water Pipit.

Sound:

Song very similar to Meadow Pipit but much louder. Starting notes often with masked double accents, giving it a hammering tone. Terminal trill stronger and more pronounced. Flight call a very sibilant, rippling "weesst", more drawn than in Meadow Pipit. Usually given as clearly separated single calls, but sometimes in quick successions like M. Pipit. Alarm call a sharp "tseet". All sounds very similar to Water Pipit.

Song, contact call, song:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Sounds:Recorded by Michele Peron, Jarek Matusiek,http://www.xeno-canto.org ,CC license